Sheryl Crow and Barry Levinson's 'Diner' Musical Sets New Opening

Sheryl Crow

After scrapping earlier plans for a San Francisco tryout and twice delaying its targeted Broadway debut, the long-gestating show, based on Levinson's 1982 film, will bow at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.

NEW YORK -- The doors will open on Sheryl Crow and Barry Levinson's troubled Diner, but not on Broadway. At least not yet.

Following repeat delays with the premiere production directed and choreographed by Tony-winner Kathleen Marshall, the show has locked in a plan to bow at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, next winter. It will run Dec. 9 through Jan. 25.

Set in Baltimore in 1959, the musical is based on Levinson's 1982 debut feature about burgeoning adulthood, which follows a group of former high school buddies who reunite in their twenties at their favorite hangout as one of them prepares to get married. The movie's ensemble cast included Kevin Bacon, Ellen Barkin and Mickey Rourke.

Levinson adapted the book for the show from his Oscar-nominated screenplay, while Crow wrote the music and lyrics, marking the first foray into musical theater for both.

A pre-Broadway tryout for Diner originally was announced to play San Francisco's Curran Theatre in fall 2012, and a Broadway opening was scheduled to follow in spring 2013. That target was later pushed back to last fall, with an out-of-town tryout being scrapped in favor of further workshops. However, that plan also failed to come together.

The original lead Broadway producer, BASE Entertainment, is no longer involved with the long-in-development production, and no plans are in place to follow the Virginia run. However, new investors will no doubt be monitoring the show for Broadway potential during its Signature engagement. Scott Landis, who is married to Marshall, is now attached as commercial producer on the project.

Cast for the world premiere of Diner will be announced at a later date.